January 29, 2012

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 11:6

You've probably heard the phrase, "I'm taking a step of faith," when someone starts tithing. That illustration can be confusing. It insinuates that faith is nothing more than blind optimism. A commitment to tithing is not just trusting God in the dark, jumping off a cliff into nowhere land. If someone tells you, "I'm just believing, just trusting," ask them who they are believing? Because that is the defining question of faith and will direct the way we give our money and time.

Faith begins when God speaks. Romans 10:17 explains, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Every person mentioned in the Bible's Hall of Faith, Hebrews 11, exercised their faith by responding to what God told them to do: Abel offered a sacrifice; Noah prepared an ark; Abraham offered up Isaac; Moses left Egypt. When God said, "Do this," they did it.

We shouldn't approach stewardship and biblical giving as simply topics for discussion. Take the faith step with your eyes open, and say, "Okay, God! I will do what You say!"

Stewardship is what I do after I say I believe.

— Author Unknown